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shooting from " batteries" anchored in the shallow parts of the bay. 

 These batteries are constructed in the following manner — by mak- 

 ing a box six feet long, two feet and a half wide, one foot deep, with 

 the sides and ends shelving, on which sand is placed to imitate a 

 bar, as well as to assist in sinking the " machine," as it is called — 

 that its uppermost edges may be about even wilh the surface of the 

 water. I'he gunner, by lying in the box on his back, is perfectly 

 concealed, and having a large number of decoys around the battery, 

 the deception is so perfect, that the birds often approach so near, as 

 to give him an opportunity of discharging with effect two double 

 barrelled guns into a flock. Great havoc is made in this way, par- 

 ticularly among young birds. This mode of shooting requires two 

 persons — one to shoot from the battery, the other to attend with a 

 boat, to collect the dead birds, and drive up flocks sitting on the bay. 

 It is, however, objected to by many, they supposing it to be too de- 

 structive, as Avell as the means of driving from the bay those which 

 escape. The Brent, especially, is a wanderer, seldom remaining 

 longer than a few days in one place, under any circumstances — 

 which induces many to suppose that they have a right to secure 

 them in any way that fancy dictates. 



In 1838 a law was passed in this State, prohibiting the use of bat- 

 teries. For a short time it was respected — but the gunners who de- 

 pend on Water Fowl shooting for a great part of their living, con- 

 sidered it such an invasion of their rights, that they defied it ; at first 

 shooting with masks, at the same time threatening to shoot the in- 

 former, should one be found. They finally laid aside their masks, 

 and the law became a dead letter, and has since been repealed. A 

 far greater evil is that of firing from boats, while sailing on their 

 feeding grounds. After having been shot at in this way, I have 

 seen them rise high in the air, and steer for the sea. I think it 

 would be as well if the gunners generally Vv'ould agree to abandon 

 this unsportsmanlike practice. 



The Brant never dives for its food ; but when wounded, it is not 

 unusual for it to attempt escape by diving. As it seldom passes 

 thirty or forty yards under the vv'ater, it is generally secured. With 

 the lovers of Water Fowl the Brant is highly esteemed. Even the 

 adult birds are tender and juicy, and free from a fishy flavor, but at 



